Addressing mental health at work

PETALING JAYA: To promote better mental well-being, the Human Resources Ministry will be coming up with guidelines on mental health in the workplace by next year.

The ministry said it recently concluded research on mental health in the workplace through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

“More comprehensive guidelines on the subject will be released to employers, employees and occupational safety and health practitioners by next year.

“We hope that these guidelines will increase awareness of the factors arising at the workplace that cause psychosocial diseases and assist in preventing them,” the ministry told Sunday Star.

This is in line with the recent move by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organisation, with both having come out with guidelines and policy briefs on mental health at work.

Globally, 15% of working-age adults live with a mental disorder, based on the “Mental Health at Work” policy brief published by both organisations.

In May, it was reported that 58% of workers in Malaysia admitted to feeling burnt out from their work in the last three months, based on a study by human resource solutions provider Employment Hero.

However, the ministry said it is unfair to say that Malaysia’s work culture deals with a high amount of stress because there are many factors that can affect one’s mental health.

“WHO’s definition of stress is ‘any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain’.

“Nevertheless, Malaysia’s current law – the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) – protects workers in the country from the hazards that originate from the workplace,” the ministry said.

Under the Act, there is a regulation that requires employers to report to the DOSH if an employee suffers from an accident, dangerous occurrence, occupational poisoning, or disease.

“There were only 24 psychosocial cases reported to the department over the past five years, from 2016 to 2021.

“The figure is comparatively lower than what has been reported in the media.

“Hence, if there are more cases, we call on employers and medical practitioners to report any psychosocial cases that they believe stem from the workplace,” the ministry urged.

On the upcoming guidelines next year, both bosses and workers lauded it as a way to create more awareness on mental well-being, which has become a key issue today.

“Having clear guidelines will allow more attention to such matters,” said Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani said the guidelines can encourage employers to take action on mental stress faced by workers.

“Such guidelines would be good for workers to know their rights and for bosses to have a guide on how to handle the cases.

“The guidelines can also be part of the standard operating procedure at work,” he said.

The MTUC also hoped that mental health can be included in the OSHA since it is the law that protects workers.

“Perhaps more discussion is needed on this, but the first step forward is to engage with all parties including workers on this,” added Mohd Effendy.